BOARD OF DIRECTORSDavid V. DownesBryan E. MurfreeRita A. Plaskon

Jeffrey C. DownesCarlton W. Bradshaw

Jane A. HoyGus P. Lebois

Steven D. BradfordMark S. Thompson

Emeritus Ted R. Evans

Executive DirectorJ. Anthony Dickerson

Attorney John C. Seipp

AccountantRobert E. Holloway

A BI-MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

Christian Shelter, Inc. mailing address is:334 Barclay Street, Salisbury, MD 21804

Phone: 410-749-LORD • Fax: 410-860-8992 www.christianshelter.org

����������������Salisbury, Maryland JUNE 2020

ABUNDANT LIFE – A GUEST SUCCESS STORY

Ms. J and her family said, “We never thought we would end up in a shelter. My family and I found ourselves without a place to live. I didn’t want to be one of them - a homeless person. It’s not that I thought I was better than them, because I have a fulltime job. We decided to make the best of this new adventure”. The journey began with daily devotions (something we found lacking), nightly chores (something the kids found helpful) and the 80% rule. We were adapting to a new way of life. God, however, had always brought beauty out of ashes in any situation that might seem devastating to some, but not for those whose lives are in Christ. When God rebuilds and restore it’s not like before, it’s far greater. It’s easy to wear the wounds of the past, but we are striving now for a new identity. During Ms. J and her family’s stay here at the shelter, they began to apply the Word to their lives. In accordance to the rules, they started applying for apartments, only to be turned down over and over. They were being turned down, because of their negative credit history. “After speaking with Sister Mary about the situation, she suggested that we contact my old landlords and make a payment plan to pay off the old judgments. We began to make progress paying off old judgments plus save money towards moving out.”Psalm 71:20-21 – “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more”. As they began to come in compliance with God’s word, He started to restore their faith and we knew that all things work together for His glory, and for their benefit.“Restoration has finally come, and our moving day is fast approaching for the next chapter of our lives. I will always remember what I learned at the Christian Shelter. I felt compelled to leave a sizeable donation, because without the Shelter I would have never saved that amount of money”, said Ms. J. “I’m encouraged to stand in faith that He will honor these promises to us in His timing and in His way, and that in His compassionate love we will have all that we will ever need. We have life and that life abundantly”.

2 CHRISTIAN SHELTER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Eight months has flown by since I took the position as Executive Director here at the Christian Shelter. More than anything I have been amazed by the generosity of our community to support the important work that is happening at the shelter. The Christian Shelter is currently experiencing the impact of the Covid-19 virus that has become a global pandemic. Keeping our staff and guests safe from this virus is one of our top priorities. In an effort, to ensure everyone’s safety, the Christian Shelter is currently in a “stay-in-place mode”. We will not be receiving any new guests until June 5th. We are currently organizing a plan of action before we start receiving new guests. This plan will include having a team of volunteer nurses come in twice per week or as needed to address, assist and train staff on any medical needs our guests may have. This team of nurses will be headed up by Latoya Maddox, RN and Chantel McNealy, RN, both from Salisbury. They will be completing an assessment on each of our new guests and are currently exploring the possibility of Covid-19 testing for the entire shelter.Currently, there are NO coronavirus cases at the Christian Shelter. The Lord has richly blessed the Shelter to allow all of us to be healthy, as we are following the Executive Order established by the Governor of Maryland and the strict guidelines of the CDC. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has impacted the Shelter in so many ways. The need for safe shelter is great, and we haven’t deviated from our mission and vision. The work of raising funds to support the Shelter is a difficult task. The Christian Shelter receives no funding from government assistance programs. Most of our funding is through private contributions, churches, local businessmen, foundations, grants and special events. The Covid-19 crisis has been a very trying time for all of us. Over the past eight weeks, we have experienced an all-time low financial dilemma as our giving has dramatically decreased. We are calling on our community

friends and potential donors to assist us in overcoming our financial challenges during this crisis. Would you consider giving a monetary donation of any kind? Your contribution will be an expression of gratitude so that others may come to the Christian Shelter, receive assistance to find gainful employment, make goals for the future, and begin saving to find a new place to call home.

UNIFORMS FOR STAFF AT THE CHRISTIAN SHELTER

Uniforms bring staff to the same platform, instilling a feeling of equality amongst those wearing the uniform. Uniforms also give the staff person a sense of mutual growth, which will allow them to care for their fellow colleagues and guests with pride. Uniforms are very important, and foster traits which are very necessary for a person as an individual and an organization as a whole to thrive and prosper. One of our goals at the Christian Shelter is to become a 5-Star shelter starting with our staff. Special Thanks to the Amerigroup that sponsored our staff uniforms and Xpressive Threads for assisting us with our logo on our uniforms. This is certainly the Spirt of Excellence. We have also instituted an ID policy and have issued IDs to all staff members as a security measure. All staff are required to wear their uniforms and ID when working.

Latoya Maddox RN & Chantel McNealy RN

Sister Mary Williams models new uniform

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A FINANCIAL DONATION

JUNE 2020 NEWSLETTER 3

ANSWERING THE CALL OF DUTY

For the June 2020 edition of the Christian Shelter Newsletter we want to introduce one of our newest staff members. Bro. Corey Newborns, is a native of Salisbury, MD. He is an ordained Deacon at First Baptist Church, where Dr. Lewis Watson is his pastor. Bro. Corey serves as an Assistant Youth Leader and he also sits on the Board of Managers. Bro. Corey studied at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Wilmington University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Wilmington University. Bro. Corey most recently worked for the Dorchester County school system for four years where he established a rapport with the youth. We believe that every person on the Shelter staff has been called to ministry. Matthew 18: 1-2, “About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them”. Bro. Corey serves at the Christian Shelter as the Youth Mentor. He is an effective communicator of God’s word; therefore, his practical style of teaching will encourage the youth to embrace the word of God while applying timeless truths using games and Bible stories. The skill set he already possesses can easily be applied to our youth while they reside here at the Christian Shelter.

CHRISTIAN SHELTER – JUNE NEWSLETTER BOARD REPORT:

The Christian Shelter has lived some uneven moments over these past three months. March, April and May were complicated by the COVID-19 virus and by all of the changes and challenges that it presented. The Maryland “stay-in-place” order kept the Christian Shelter guests in a precarious place. What do our guests do during this pandemic crisis? Where do they go? How can they live in safety? Where can they find answers and direction? It has been an unusual time. Within the Christian Shelter it has been a time where the staff of the Christian Shelter have focused in different ways on guest health and safety.First, the guests were encouraged to stay indoors and to practice social distancing within the Christian Shelter. Social distancing meant changes in meals and devotions. Changes were also required in gatherings in the hallways and in rooms. These changes meant that the two dormitories were areas of particular concern for the Christian Shelter and our guests. If the coronavirus was found in our Men’s or Women’s dormitory, then a very dangerous health condition could unfold for those single adults. On the other hand, the thirteen (13) Family Rooms proved to be so very helpful to isolate guest families and to provide a safe respite for mothers with children to avoid undue exposure to the virus. We were so very blessed to have these individual Family Rooms so that a mother could get her children sequestered during the day and evenings to reduce exposure. Many families stayed in their rooms in the evening, playing games and staying away from outside exposure. This COVID-19 pandemic has been a scary time.Praise report! Our guests and staff of this writing have not experienced a positive virus result. Our prayer is that this challenging disease would not be present within the Christian Shelter. Please continue to keep the Christian Shelter, our staff and guests, in your prayers that the Lord would protect and preserve His Christian Shelter.

Brother Corey

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PAIDSalisbury, MDPermit No. 94

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SHOUT OUT TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDS

Three years ago the Shelter was approached by Shawn Harrison, owner of Real HVAC Services. Shawn said that it was on his heart to “give back” to the community and the Christian Shelter came to his mind. He called us and we met to discuss what his intentions were. Shawn said that he felt led to provide the annual maintenance required by our twelve (12) HVAC Systems for free. This meant that twice a year (spring and fall) he would send two technicians to the Shelter and they would do maintenance checks on all 12 HVAC systems, making sure that they were working properly, make any required adjustments, replace filters, grease fittings, etc. All minor material expenses would also be free. THANK YOU Real HVAC Services and Shawn Harrison for partnering with the Christian Shelter. Footnote: For many years T.E. Smith & Son, owned by Mr. David Smith performed a similar service for the Christian Shelter. Thank you David, for your faithful service over all those years of taking care of our HVAC systems.

PRAYER BLESSING LISTSUPPLIES

Laundry Detergent & BleachToilet & Paper Towels

Bar Towels (Kitchen Cleaning)Disinfectant Cleaning Spray (Pine Sol, Bleach, etc.)

Cold & Flu Meds for Adults & Children

FOODSCheese (Sliced or Grated)

SugarButter/Margarine

Breakfast & Lunch MeatsCooking Oil & Spices

Coffee, & Tea